THE KUKMIN DAILY

Recently nine German pastors visited Korea in search of ways to link churches with local society. As members of the “Spiritual Training Team,” an initiative by pastors concerned about the church’s role in local areas, they heard that many of Korea’s churches are doing successful pastoral work together with regional society; and this moved them to pay their own travel costs to come to Korea this past August 25.

On September 3, the German pastors visited Hannam Jeil Church (Rev. Oh Chang-wu, second from left in photo), on Itaeweon-no, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. There they listened to Rev. Oh Chang-wu explain Hannam Jeil Church’s present mission situation, which concentrates on helping low-income and immigrant families through close cooperation with the local government; and toured the church’s facilities. They showed particular interest in the shelter for foreign migrants set up by the church as one of Seoul City’s village community projects, and in the afterschool classroom operated by the church in conjunction with a business organization.

“Many churches say, ‘We want to help local society, but we don’t have the necessary money, building or persons,’” said Rev. Oh. “But if you effectively put to use the welfare programs operated by the government, there is much you can do for local society.”

The Rev. Dr. Matthias Rost (fourth from left in photo), who serves a church in Jena, Thuringia state in Germany, said, “The passion of the Korean church to serve local society is simply amazing… At Hannam Jeil Church, which is helping its needy neighbors together with the government, I received great inspiration.”

During their visit, the German pastors were deeply impressed by the work of Ducksoo Church (Rev. Kim Man-jun), in collaboration with a Catholic cathedral and a Buddhist temple, to help local residents. They observed the devoted North Korean mission work of Youngnak Church (Rev. Lee Cheol-shin), and the “Life-power Liturgy” of Kyungdong Church (Rev. Park Jong-hwa). Besides these, they also showed high interest in the Sunday School of Suwonsung Church (Rev. An Gwang-su), the village library and local children’s center of Bucheon’s Saerom Church (Rev. Lee Weon-don), the efforts of Songak Church (Rev. Lee Jong-myeong) in Asan, Chungcheong-namdo, to spread organic farming methods, the spirituality movement of the Mosaegol faith community (Rev. Im Yeong-su), and other projects.

Reporter Pyeong Seon Jeon (junbs@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)

Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok


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